Handset with spin input

ABSTRACT

The handset include a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin after the user has released the handset. The handset also includes electronics in the case. The electronics are configured to execute one or more functions in response to the spinning of the handset on the surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/399,235, filed on Aug. 10, 2011, entitled “Housing and Keypad for Mobile Phone,” and incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to handsets, and more particularly, to handsets that utilize user inputs.

Increasing the number of uses for handsets such as cell phones handsets has increased the number of input devices that are present on the handset. For instance, different handsets typically employ different combinations to keyboards, buttons, switches, roller balls, touch screens, joysticks, etc. The limited size of these handsets limits the total number and/size of the input devices that can be included in a handset. As a result, there is a need for an improved input device.

SUMMARY

The handset includes a case configured such that a user can spin the handset on a surface and the handset will continue to spin on the surface after the user has released the handset. The handset also includes electronics in the case. The electronics are configured to execute one or more functions in response to the spinning of the handset on the surface. In some instances, the handset includes cellular phone functionality in that the handsets can be used to make mobile telephone calls across an area served by multiple cells.

In one embodiment of the handset, the case has a contact location that is the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset. The contact location has an area less than 5% of an area of a handset projection onto the surface. Additionally, the centerpoint of the case is the location on the back of the case that is directly under a center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface. The handset is configured so at least a portion of the contact location is within 0.5 inch of the centerpoint. The electronics in the handset are configured to determine a value of one or more variables selected from a group consisting of a total rotation angle during the spin and a total number of rotations during the spin. The electronics execute the one or more functions in response to the value of each one of the one or more determined variables being in a range.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A through FIG. 1H illustrate an example of a handset. FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of the handset when the handset is positioned face-up on a horizontal surface.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the handset when the handset is positioned face-down on a horizontal surface.

FIG. 1C is a topview of the handset looking down toward the face of the handset.

FIG. 1D is a bottomview of the handset taken looking down toward the back of the handset.

FIG. 1E is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled E in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1F is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled F in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1G is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled G in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1H is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled H in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2A is the sideview of FIG. 1G but with the handset resting on a horizontal surface.

FIG. 2B is the sideview of FIG. 1H but with the handset resting on the horizontal surface of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of electronics included in the handset.

FIG. 4 provides a block diagram showing the relationship between an operating system and applications included in the handset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A handset, such as a cellular phone handset, is designed so a user of the handset can spin the handset on a surface and the handset will continue to spin on that surface even after the user has removed his hands from the handset. Electronics in the handset use the spinning of the case to control one or more functions of the handset. For instance, the electronics can use data determined from the spinning motion as an input to applications such as games. An example of these games is roulette. Spinning of the handset can represent the spinning of the roulette wheel. In the roulette example, the electronics can determine the number of rotations that occurred during the spin and use this information to determine the location of the roulette ball at the time the spinning of the handset stops. As with the actual game of roulette, the location of the ball relative to the wheel determines whether the user is a winner.

Using the spinning of the handset to control functions of the handset provides an input device that is fun for the operator, easy to understand, easy to use, and does not require substantial space on the handset.

FIG. 1A through FIG. 1H illustrate an example of a handset. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the handset when the handset is positioned face-up. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the handset when the handset is positioned facedown. FIG. 1C is a topview of the handset looking down toward the face of the handset. FIG. 1D is a bottomview of the handset taken looking down toward the back of the handset. FIG. 1E is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled E in FIG. 1C. FIG. 1F is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled F in FIG. 1C. FIG. 1G is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled G in FIG. 1C. FIG. 1H is a sideview of the handset taken looking in the direction of the arrow labeled H in FIG. 1C.

The illustrated handset includes a variety of input devices 10 held by a case 12. The case 12 can be constructed of a single piece that has an interior that can house electronics. Alternately, the case 12 can be multiple pieces assembled so as to define the interior.

Examples of input devices 10 include, but are not limited to, keyboards, buttons, switches, roller balls, touch screens, joysticks, microphone, etc. In some instances, the handset includes one or more optical ports that serve as input devices 10. The handset can include a digital camera that views images to be recorded through an optical port in the case. A suitable digital camera has still image capabilities and/or video capabilities. The optical port can optionally include a lens such as a fixed focus lens or other light transmitting medium through which the camera views images.

The handset also includes output devices 14. Examples of output devices 14 include, but are not limited to, lights and audio speakers. For instance, the output device 14 labeled in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1D can mark the location of a speaker. In some instances, the handset includes one or more displays 16 that each includes touchscreen capabilities. Accordingly, the one or more displays 16 can act as both an input device 10 and as an output device 14. In some instances, the handset includes one or more electronics communication ports 18 for connecting electronics within the handset with circuits in other devices so as to achieve electronic communication between the handset and the other device. Because the handset can receive input and/or provide output through these electronics communication ports 18, these electronics communication ports 18 can serve as input devices and/or output devices. Examples of electronics communication ports 18 include, but are not limited to, jacks, ports, and/or connectors. Examples of devices that can communicate with the handset through the one or more electronics communication ports 18 include, but are not limited to, computers (laptops, desktops, etc.), Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), digital cameras with still image capabilities and/or video capabilities, etc. Example ports include wireless communication ports such as IR ports. Example jacks include, but are not limited to, jacks such as headphone jacks. Example connectors include, but are not limited to, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors.

The handset is configured to be rotated or spun when resting on a substantially horizontal surface 20. For instance, FIG. 2A shows the sideview of FIG. 1G but with the handset resting on a horizontal surface 20 such as a table or desk. FIG. 2B shows the sideview of FIG. 1H but with the handset resting on the horizontal surface 20 of FIG. 2A. An operator of the handset can rotate or spin the handset on the surface 20 by moving the handset as shown by one or more of the arrows labeled R in FIG. 2C. Moving the handset as shown by one or more of the arrows labeled R in FIG. 2C produces a counterclockwise spin. A clockwise spin can be achieved by reversing the movement illustrated in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B represent sideviews of the handset as the handset is spinning. As is evident from these images, the backside 22 of the handset is constructed so that when the handset spins the handset contacts the surface 20 at a single contact location 24. The contact location 24 is substantially smaller than the back of the handset and is the only portion of the handset that contacts the surface 20 while the handset is spinning. Limiting the contact between the handset and the surface 20 to the contact location 24 allows the handset to continue spinning on the surface 20 after the operator has released the handset. In some instances, the handset is constructed such that with little effort by the user the spinning can continue for more than one full rotation, more than two full rotations, or more than three full rotations.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show the surface 20 of the back of the case 12 being curved convexly along two different dimensions of the handset. For instance, the case 12 is curved both along the length of the case 12 and along the width of the case 12. In some instance, the curve along the length is a continuous curve that passes through the contact location 24 and the curve along the width is a continuous curve that passes through the contact location 24. In these instances, the combination of these curves provides a small contact location 24 on which the handset can spin.

Rather than having two curves pass through the contact location 24, the case can optionally include a protrusion that includes or serves as the contact location 24. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show the case 12 having a protrusion 26 that both includes and serves as the contact location 24. The protrusion 26 protrudes outward past the other surfaces on the back of the case 12. For instances, the protrusion 26 protrudes outward past the curved surfaces discussed above. The outer surface of the protrusion 26 can be flat. Alternately, the outer surface of the protrusion 26 can have a convex curvature that further enhances the spinnability of the handset. In either case 12, the illustrated contact location 24 provides a single continuous area on the exterior surface of the backside of the case 12 that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset. Additionally, the illustrated contact location 24 is solid in the sense that it does not surround any area that cannot contact the surface 20 during the spinning of the handset.

The handset can be constructed to include more than one contact location 24. During a single spin, the handset can be spun on a particular one of the contact locations 24 or can alternate between spinning on different contact locations 24.

Reducing the size of each contact location 24 reduces the friction between the handset and the surface 20. As a result, reducing the size of a contact location 24 makes the handset easier to spin on the surface 20 and/or extends the time period for which the handset spins on the surface 20 after being released by the user. A suitable area for a contact location 24 includes, but is not limited to, areas less than 2 in², or less than 1 in². Additionally, each contact location 24 is smaller than the projection of the handset onto the surface 20. The projection of the handset onto the surface 20 is the area of the surface 20 that is in the shadow of the handset if there was a light source located directly above the handset at a distance that is effectively infinitely far from the handset so all of the light strikes the handset from a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface 20. The handset is constructed such that when the handset is spinning, the area of each contact location 24 is less than 20% of the handset projection onto the surface 20, less than 5% of the handset projection onto the surface 20, less than 1% of the handset projection onto the surface 20, or less than 0.1% of the handset projection onto the surface 20.

The position of each contact location 24 relative to the center of mass of the handset can affect the quality of rotation of the handset. Moving a contact location 24 closer to the center of mass of the handset will increase the spinnability of the handset. For instance, moving the contact location 24 closer to the center of mass of the handset can make it easier to start the handset spinning and/or can extend the time for which the handset remains spinning on the surface 20 after the handset is released by the user. The centerpoint of the handset is the location on the back of the case 12 that is directly under the center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface 20. In some instances, the handset is configured so at least a portion of the contact location 24 is within 1 inch of the centerpoint, within 0.5 inch of the centerpoint, or within 0.1 inch of the centerpoint.

In some instances, the handset includes one or more components that move relative to the other parts of the handset (not shown). For instance, the handset can include a display 16 that flips up and/or slides out and/or the handset can include a keyboard that slides from a position where the keyboard is protected during storage into a position where the user readily accesses the keyboard. Accordingly, the handset can have one or more primary configurations and one or more secondary configurations. In some instances, one of the primary configurations refers to the configuration in which users keep the handset during storage, standby and/or non-use and one of the secondary configurations refers to the configuration in which user keeps the handset during active use of the handset.

The movement between different configurations can change the center of mass of the handset. For instance, flipping open a display 16 can move the center of mass for the handset toward the display 16. In some instances, the handset is configured so the contact location 24 is near the center of mass that is present after changing the handset from a first configuration to a second configuration. This arrangement allows the handset to be spun after changing the handset's center of mass by extending one of the components on the handset. For instance, the handset can be configured so the contact location 24 is near the center of mass after the keyboard has been slid out into a position that is readily accessed by the user. The location of the center of mass of the handset after the handset has been re-configured from a first configuration to a second configuration is called the secondary center of mass. The secondary centerpoint is the location on the back of the case 12 that is directly under the center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface 20 and is in the secondary configuration. In some instances, the handset is configured so at least a portion of the contact location 24 is within 1 inch of the secondary centerpoint, within 0.5 inch of the secondary centerpoint, or within 0.1 inch of the secondary centerpoint.

The handset can optionally be constructed such that when the handset is not spinning and the handset is resting on the surface 20, more than one location on the handset contacts the surface 20.

The handset includes electronics that operate the handset in response to rotating or spinning the handset while the handset rests on a substantially horizontal surface 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronics. The electronics include a controller 40 with access to one or more memories 42. Suitable controllers 40 include any combination of electronics, processors, and/or processor arrangements that runs code to perform handset station functions described herein as well as facilitate the overall operation of the handset. In some instances, the code is permanently or temporarily stored on the one or more memories 42 and the code includes instructions executed by the controller 40 in the process of executing the controller and handset functions. Suitable memories 42 include, but are not limited to, processor registers, processor cache, Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, one or more hard drives, and combinations of these. One or more of the memories can be removable such as a memory stick, or memory card such as a USB flash drive (Universal Serial Bus flash drives).

The controller is in communication with the input devices 10 and the output devices 14. The controller can take input from the input devices 10 and can provide output on the output devices 14. Even though the input devices 10 are shown as being separate from the output devices 14, many of these devices can operate as both an input device 10 and an output device 14. For instance, as noted above, a display 16 with touch screen capabilities can operate as both an input device 10 and as an output device 14.

The input devices 10 include one or more spin monitors 44 in communication with the controller. The controller employs output from the one or more spin monitors 44 to monitor that spinning of the handset when the handset has been placed on a horizontal surface 20. Suitable spin monitors or combinations of spin monitors provide electrical signals to the controller that allow the controller to determine a value of one or more characteristics of a spin of the handset on the surface. Examples of the characteristics include, but are not limited to, total rotation angle, total number of rotations and direction of rotation. Examples of spin monitors include tilt sensors, more accelerometers and/or one or more angular rate sensors such as gyroscopes, rate sensors based on the MHDMagnetohydrodynamics effect, and Electrochemical sensors based on Molecular Electronic Transducer Technology (MET). The input devices can include more than one of the same type of spin monitor and/or can include combinations of different types of spin monitors.

When the spin monitors include one more accelerometers, the accelerometers can include one or more single-axis accelerometers and/or one or more multi-axis accelerometers including three axes accelerometer. The controller can use output from one or more of the accelerometers and/or one or more tilt sensor to determine when the handset has been on a substantially horizontal surface 20 or that the handset has been placed face-up on a horizontal surface 20. After the controller determines that the handset has been placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and that the handset is being spun, the controller can determine the total angle of rotation for the handset. For instance, one or more of accelerometers can serve as a spin monitor accelerometer. The spin monitor accelerometers are each positioned in the handset so it experiences centrifugal or centripetal force in response to the spinning of the handset. As a result, the one or more spin monitor accelerometers each provides a signal to the controller that indicates to the controller the level of centrifugal or centripetal force being experienced by the spin monitor accelerometer.

When one or more accelerometers are used to determine that the handset has been placed on a horizontal surface 20, the one or more spin monitor accelerometers can be different from or the same as the one or more accelerometers that are used to determine that the handset has been placed on a horizontal surface 20.

The controller can employ a relationship between the angular velocity (ω) and the level of centrifugal or centripetal force to determine the angular velocity (ω) of the handset. Accordingly, the controller can use this relationship to determine when the handset is sitting stationary, is spinning, has stopped spinning, and has started spinning. Since the angular velocity (ω) will change throughout the total time of spinning, the angular velocity (ω) is a function of time and the angular velocity (ω) as a function of time can be written ω(t). After the spinning has started, the controller can compare the time during the spin and the angular velocity as a function of time ω(t) to determine the angle (i.e. the number of degrees or radians) through which the handset has spun at any time during the spin. For instance, the controller can calculate the angle through which the handset has rotated at a particular time after rotation starts (θ(t)) by calculating or approximating the following equation 1:

θ(t) = ∫_(t = 0)^(t_(c))ω(t) t

wherein t=0 is the time that the rotation started and t_(c) is the time after the rotation started. After the controller determines that the spinning has stopped, the controller can determine the total angle of rotation by calculating or approximating equation 1 using t_(c)=t_(s) where t_(s) is the time lapsed between the time when spinning of the handset started (t=0) and the time when the handset stopped spinning.

The controller can also use the one or more accelerometers to determine the direction of rotation while the handset is spinning. For instance, the handset can include one or more secondary accelerometers in addition to the one or more spin monitor accelerometer. The one or more secondary accelerometers can be positioned so it experiences acceleration in opposing directions in response to the spinning of the handset in opposite directions. Accordingly, the controller can use the signal from the one or more secondary accelerometers to determine the direction of the spinning. Rather than using secondary accelerometers, one or more of the spin monitor accelerometer(s) can be a multi-axis accelerometer. One of the axes in the multi-axis accelerometer can be positioned so it experiences acceleration in opposing directions in response to the spinning of the handset in opposite directions. The controller can then use the output of the multi-axis accelerometer associated with this axis to determine the direction of spin.

In some instances, a handset may confuse translation of the handset with rotation of the handset. This confusion can be stopped or reduced by placing spin monitor accelerometers on opposing sides of the handset such that translational portion of the spinning motion causes the spin monitor accelerometers to translate in opposite directions. The controller can then use the output of both spin monitor accelerometers to distinguish rotation from translation. For instance, when both spin monitor accelerometers experience centrifugal or centripetal force then the handset is undergoing rotation or spinning rather than translation.

As an alternative or in addition to using the one or more accelerometers as a spin monitor, the electronics can include one or more angular rate sensors such as gyroscopes, rate sensors based on the MHDMagnetohydrodynamics effect, and Electrochemical sensors based on Molecular Electronic Transducer Technology (MET). Angular rate sensors each provides one or more electrical signals indicating angular velocity as a function of time ω(t). Accordingly, the controller can use the output of the one or more angular rate sensors in equation 1 to determine total angle of rotation. In some instances, an electrical signal output by the angular rate sensors also indicates direction of rotation. Accordingly, it is possible for an angular rotation sensor to be the only spin monitor included in the handset or for one or more angular rotation sensors to be used in conjunction with other spin monitors.

As an alternative or in addition to using the one or more accelerometers and/or angular rate sensors as a spin monitor, the electronics can include one or more electronic compasses in electrical communication with the controller. The electronics can employ the one or more compasses as a spin monitor. For instance, the electronics can use output of the compass to determine the total rotation angle for the handset. In some instances, the spin monitors include one or more accelerometers and/or one or more tilt sensors in addition the one or more compasses. The one more accelerometers can include one or more single-axis accelerometers and/or one or more multi-axis accelerometers. The electronics can use output from one or more of the accelerometers and/or one or more tilt sensor to determine when the handset has been placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface 20. After the electronics determine that the handset has been placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface 20, the electronics can monitor the output of the compass to determine whether the handset is stationary or spinning. The controller determines that the handset is stationary when the output of the compass shows that the direction of the handset is not changing. The controller determines that the handset is spinning when the output of the compass indicates that direction of the handset is changing. The controller determines that the handset has stopped spinning when the output of the compass indicates that the direction of the handset is no longer changing.

When the controller determines that the handset is spinning, the controller monitors the output of the compass to determine the total angle of rotation. For instance, if the compass indicates to the controller that the handset is pointing west before spinning, passes through west twice while spinning, and stops spinning pointing southeast, the controller determines that the total angle of rotation for the handset is 855°.

The controller can also use the output of the compass to determine the spinning direction. For instance, suppose that the output of the compass shows that the handset is pointing west. Once the handset starts spinning, if the handset passes through northwest before passing through southwest, then the handset is spinning clockwise. Alternately, if the handset passes through southwest before passing through northwest, then the handset is spinning counterclockwise.

Although the above description describes using either the output from one or more compasses, angular rate sensors and/or from one or more spin monitor accelerometers to determine total rotation angle, the electronics can be configured to use the output of both the compass and from the spin monitor accelerometers to determine the total rotation angle. For instance, the controller can determine a total spin angle from the spin monitor accelerometers and also from the compass. The controller can then compare the values to determine if they are in agreement. In the event of a disagreement between the values, the controller can use both values in a technique that approximates the total rotation angle. For instance, the controller can use a straight or weighted average of the total rotation angles as an approximation of the total rotation angle. A weighted average or weighted median can be weighted toward the total rotation angle that comes from the consistently more accurate device (compass or spin monitor accelerometers). Alternately, the controller can use the approximation of the total rotation angle as the rotation angle without comparing for disagreement.

In some instances, the controller determines the total angle of rotation at least partially or completely in response to the controller determining that the handset is substantially horizontal and is being spun. In some instances, the controller can use an electrical signal from the one or more spin monitors such as accelerometers, angular rate monitors, and/or compass to determine that the handset is substantially horizontal. Alternately, the input devices can include another device that the controller employs to determine that the handset is substantially horizontal. For instance, the input devices can include one or more vertical reference units (VRUs) and/or one or more attitude sensors such as a tilt monitor. The controller can employ the output from the one or more attitude sensors to determine when the handset is substantially horizontal.

In some instance, the controller uses the total rotation angle to determine the total number of rotations of the handset. For instance, the total rotation angle can be divided by 360°, or 2π radians, in order to determine the total number of rotations.

The controller can use one, two, or three of the variables selected from a group consisting of total rotation angle, total number of rotations and direction of rotation to control one or more functions of the handset. For instance, the controller can control operating system functions and/or to application functions in response to the total rotation angle and/or direction of rotation and/or number of rotations. FIG. 4 provides a block diagram showing the relationship between the operating system 50 and the applications 52. The operating system 50 acts as an interface between the applications 52 and the one or more input devices 10 and/or the one or more output devices 14. For instance, the operating system 50 allows an application 52 to display 16 particular items on an output device 14 such as a display 16. Additionally or alternately, the operating system 50 allows a particular key on a keyboard to perform different functions in different applications 52.

The operating system 50 is typically installed on the handset before the sale of the handset. Examples of common operating systems for use with handsets include, but are not limited to, iOS by Apple, Inc., ANDROID by Google, Inc., Windows Phone 7 by Microsoft, Inc., Symbian by Nokia, and embedded Linux distributions such as Maemo and MeeGo.

In general, applications 52 are added to and/or removed from the handset by the user. A typical user adds one or more applications 52 to the handset by downloading each application 52 from the Internet or another source. The user can then remove these applications 52 from the handset at a later time. While many applications 52 are added by the user, in some instances, the applications 52 are installed on the handset before the sale of the handset to the user. For instance, many handsets are sold with a sample of games on them. In some instances, it may not be possible for the user to remove applications 52 that are installed on the handset before the sale of the handset.

A user typically adds an application 52 to the handset in order to cause the handset to provide particular software services that are not available directly from the operating system. Examples of software services that can be provided by applications 52 include, but are not limited to, entertainment such as games, movies, pictures, photographs, videos, etc., scheduling software, reservation services for hotels, flight, car, restaurants, etc., web browsers for browsing the Internet, etc.

As is evident from FIG. 4, features of the operating system can be common to more than one application 52. For instance, multiple applications 52 can output to a monitor and/or receive input from a keyboard. Accordingly, the portion of the operating system dedicated to control of the monitor and/or receiving input from the keyboard can each be used by more than one application. However, particular parts of the operating system may be specific to particular input devices 10 and/or output devices 14. Device drivers are examples of software that is included in the operating system and that is generally specific to a particular device.

The controller can control handset functions at least partially or completely in response to a value of the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations. For instance, the controller can execute certain handset functions partially or completely in response to the value of the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being within a range. As an example of the controller executing the function completely in response to the value of the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being within a range, the controller can execute a certain handset function in response to the value of the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being above a lower threshold or being between a lower threshold and an upper threshold. As an example of the controller executing the function partially in response to the value of the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being within a range, the controller can execute a certain handset function in response to the value of the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being above a lower threshold or being between a lower threshold and an upper threshold in addition to the rotation being clockwise.

In some instances, the electronics are configured to control operating system functions in response to the total rotation angle and/or direction of rotation and/or number of rotations. For instance, the controller can control operating system functions in response to the value of one, two, or three variables selected from the group consisting of total rotation angle, direction of rotation, and number of rotations. Accordingly, one or more of these variables can serve as an input to the operating system. When one of the variables is the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations, the electronics can execute a function in partial or complete response to the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being within a particular range but not perform that function when the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations is outside of that range.

As an example of the electronics controlling the operating system completely in response to the total rotation angle, the controller can turn off the handset in response to the handset determining that the handset has been placed on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and rotated by about a one quarter rotation, (a total rotation angle in a range of 88° to 92°). As an example of the electronics controlling the operating system in partial response to the total rotation angle, the controller can turn on the handset in response to determining that the handset has been placed on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and rotated clockwise by about a one quarter rotation (i.e. a total rotation angle in a range of 88° to 92°) and can turn off the handset in response to determining that the handset has been placed on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and rotated counter-clockwise by about a one quarter rotation (i.e. a total rotation angle in a range of 88° to 92°). In the last example, the electronics control a function of the operating system in response to the value of two of the variables. Accordingly, the handset can execute function of the handset in response to the value of more than one of the variables.

As is also noted above, the controller can control application functions in completely or partially in response to the total rotation angle and/or direction of rotation and/or number of rotations. For instance, the controller can control one or more functions of one or more applications in response to the value of one, two, or three variables selected from the group consisting of total rotation angle, direction of rotation, and number of rotations. Accordingly, one or more of these variables can serve as an input(s) to the application. When one of the variables is the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations, the electronics can execute a function in partial or complete response to the total rotation angle and/or number of rotations being within a particular range.

As an example of the electronics controlling applications completely in response to the total rotation angle being in a certain range, the controller can start up a mailer in response to the handset determining that the handset has been placed on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and rotated by about a one quarter rotation, (a total rotation angle in a range of 88° to 92°). As an example of the electronics controlling the operating system in partial response to the total rotation angle, the controller can start up a mailer in response to determining that the handset has been placed on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and rotated clockwise by about a one quarter rotation (i.e. a total rotation angle in a range of 88° to 92°) and can turn on a music player in response to determining that the handset has been placed on a substantially horizontal surface 20 and rotated counter-clockwise by about a one quarter rotation (i.e. a total rotation angle in a range of 88° to 92°).

The game roulette is an example of an application where the controller can control in response to the total rotation angle and/or direction of rotation and/or number of rotations. For instance, the controller can track a virtual roulette wheel having the 37 or 38 pockets that are normally associated with a real roulette wheel. In one embodiment, the controller assigns the ball to one of the pockets. The user spins the handset and the controller determines the total number of rotations and the direction of the spin. The controller can use this data to determine which pocket the ball would have landed in once the handset stops spinning. To make this determination, the handset can assign the number of rotations of the handset to the virtual wheel and can assign the virtual wheel to the same direction of rotation as the handset and can assign the ball a stationary position relative to the surface 20. Alternately, the handset can assume that ball moves around the wheel the same number of times as the total number of rotations and that the virtual wheel remains stationary. Other embodiments where the handset assigns movement to both the ball and wheel are possible. Before, during, and/or after the spin, the controller can display 16 the relative locations of the virtual wheel and ball on the display 16.

Other examples of game applications games for which spinning of the handset can serve as an input include, but are not limited to, Spin the Bottle, Magic 8 Ball, Spin Counter, Slot Machine, Wheel of Fortune, Music Shuffler, Fortune Cookie, Decipher, and Fate Call.

In one application, the controller simply displays 16 the results of determining the one or more variables on an output device 14 such as a display 16. For instance, the controller can display 16 one, two, or three of the variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle, total number of rotations and direction of rotation on the display 16. This feature allows the user to play games by determining how many rotations are possible, or to use the handset as a substitute for a die (singular of dice), etc.

The use of the one or more variables (total rotation angle, direction of rotation, and rotation number) to control handset functions is distinct from use of absolute direction to control handset functions. For instance, each variable is distinct from absolute direction in the sense that the total rotation angle, direction of rotation, and rotation number do not indicate the direction in which the handset either was directed before spinning or after spinning. Further, the handset need not be point in a particular direction in order to achieve a particular total rotation angle, direction of rotation, or rotation number.

The handset can have the capabilities of a cellular phone, a mobile phone, and/or a smart phone. For instance, the handsets discussed above can be used to make mobile telephone calls across a geographic area served by multiple public cells. In some instances, the handset can make and receive telephone calls to and from the public telephone network which includes other mobiles and fixed-line phones across the world. This can be done by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator. The electronics can support connectivity technologies including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and/or Enhanced Date rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data only (EV-DO, EV, etc.), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Near field communication (NFC), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and combinations thereof.

In some instances, the electronics in the above handsets are configured to provide text messaging capabilities. For instance, the handset can provide Short Message Service (SMS) and/or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messaging including threaded text messaging. In some instances, the handset include Android Cloud To Device Messaging Framework (C2DM). In some instances, the above handsets provide Internet access and/or e-mail access. When the handset includes e-mail and/or Internet access, a suitable Internet browsers for use by the electronics include, but are not limited to, mobile browsers such as microbrowsers, minibrowser, or wireless internet browser (WIB). An example of a suitable browser is the ANDROID browser available from Google, Inc.

In some instances, the electronics in the above handsets are configured to provide media playback of audio files and/or video files. For instance, the handset can provide audio output directly to speakers included in the handset and/or to an audio jack that can be connected to a device such as headphones. Additionally or alternately, the handset can provide still video output such as the display 16 of still photos and/or movie files. This output can be provided directly to a display 16 included on the handset and/or can be output to a video jack that can be connected to a device such as a monitor or television. The video output can also include audio. In order to provide the above functionality, the electronics can support one or more technologies such as the audio-video format WebM, the video compression standard H.263, the video compression standard H.264 (in 3GP or MP4 container), the video compression standard MPEG-4 SP, the audio data compression scheme called Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR or AMR-NB) audio codec, compression and encoding scheme for digital audio called Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), HE-AAC (in MP4 or 3GP container), MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III (MP3), MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, Waveform Audio File Format (WAV), the digital image compression schemes called JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP.

In some instances, the electronics in the above handsets are configured to provide streaming media playback of audio files and/or video files. For instance, the electronics can support one or more streaming formats such as Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP)/Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) (3GPP PSS, ISMA), HTML progressive download (HTML5), Adobe Flash Streaming (RTMP), HTTP Dynamic Streaming are supported by the Flash plugin, and Apple HTTP Live Streaming.

In some instances, the electronics in the above handsets include a camera. The camera can be configured to capture still photographs and/or video. In some instances, the electronics in the above handsets include Push-to-Talk functionality or Press-to-Transmit (PTT) to provide conversing on half-duplex communication lines, including two-way radio. These handsets typically use a momentary button to switch from a voice reception mode to a voice transmit mode.

The handset includes at least one, two or three functionalities selected from a group consisting of cellular phone, text messaging, Internet access, non-streamed media playback, streaming media playback, camera, and application downloading. The electronics in the handset can employ the spinning of the handset as input in all or a portion of these functionalities. In one example, the handset includes cellular phone functionality, application downloading, and at least one, two or three functionalities selected from a group consisting of text messaging, non-streamed media playback, streaming media playback, and camera function. The electronics in the handset can employ the spinning of the handset as input in all or a portion of these functionalities. In another example, the handset includes cellular phone functionality, text messaging, Internet access, non-streamed media playback, streaming media playback, camera, and application downloading. The electronics in the handset can employ the spinning of the handset as input in all or a portion of these functionalities.

The handsets discussed above can each be portable in that they can be recharged and removed from the charging source. When removed from the charging source, an internal power source holds a charge and continues to power the electronics. Suitable power sources include batteries.

The above disclosure teaches that the contact location 24 positioned on the back of the handset. The back of the handset is the side of the handset opposite of the face of the handset. The face of the handset is generally the side of the handset in which the display 16 is housed when the handset is in use. Accordingly, the electronics are generally positioned between the back of the handset and the face of the handset. Although the above description describes the contact location 24 as being located in the back of the handset, the contact location 24 can be located elsewhere on the handset. Accordingly, the electronics need not always identify when the handset has been rested face up on the surface. For instance, the contact location can be on the face of the handset and before generating data about a subsequent spin; the electronics can be configured to determine when the handset has been rested face down on the surface.

Other embodiments, modifications, and combinations of this invention will occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. This invention is to be limited only by the following claims, which include all such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 

1. A handset, comprising: a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin on the surface after the user has released the handset; and electronics in the case, the electronics being configured to control one or more functions of the handset in response to the spinning of the handset on the surface.
 2. The handset of claim 1, wherein the case has a contact location that is the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset, the contact location having an area less than 5% of an area of a handset projection onto the surface.
 3. The handset of claim 1, wherein a centerpoint of the handset is a location on a back of the case that is directly under a center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface and the handset is configured so at least a portion of a contact location is within 0.5 inch of the centerpoint, the contact location being the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset.
 4. The handset of claim 1, wherein a back of the case is curved along an entire length of the back and the handset is curved along an entire width of the back.
 5. The handset of claim 1, wherein the electronics are configured to determine a total angle of rotation through which the handset rotates during a spin of the handset.
 6. The handset of claim 1, wherein the electronics are configured to determine a total number of rotations during a spin of the handset.
 7. The handset of claim 1, wherein the electronics are configured to determine a direction that the handset spins during a spin of the handset.
 8. The handset of claim 1, wherein the electronics are configured to determine one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin, and the electronics control the one or more functions of the handset in response to a value of each one of the one or more of the determined variables.
 9. The handset of claim 8, wherein the electronics execute the one or more functions in response to the one or more determined variables having a value in a range of values.
 10. The handset of claim 9, wherein the one or more functions are functions of an operating system.
 11. The handset of claim 10, wherein the handset includes one or more input devices and one or more output devices and the one or more functions are each a function of an application that communicates with at least one of the one or more input devices and one or more output devices through the operating system.
 12. The handset of claim 11, wherein the one or more functions are each a function of an application downloaded onto the handset by a user of the handset.
 13. The handset of claim 1, wherein the handset includes one or more accelerometers and employs an output from the one or more accelerometers in determining one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin.
 14. The handset of claim 1, wherein the handset includes one or more angular rate sensors in determining one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin.
 15. The handset of claim 14, wherein the one or more angular rate sensors includes a gyroscope.
 16. The handset of claim 1, wherein the handset includes an electronic compass and employs an output from the compass in determining one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin.
 17. The handset of claim 1, wherein the handset includes one or more accelerometers and the electronics employs an output from at least one of the one or more accelerometers to determine whether the handset has been rested on a substantially horizontal surface.
 18. The handset of claim 1, wherein the electronics determine one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin, but do not determine these variables unless the electronics first determines that the handset has been rested on the substantially horizontal surface.
 19. The handset of claim 1, wherein the handset includes cellular phone capabilities.
 20. The handset of claim 1, comprising: a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin after the user has released the handset, the case having a contact location that is the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset, the contact location having an area less than 5% of an area of a handset projection onto the surface, a centerpoint of the case is a location on the back of the case that is directly under a center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface, the handset being configured so at least a portion of the contact location is within 0.5 inch of the centerpoint, electronics in the case, the electronics being configured to one or more variables selected from a group consisting of a total rotation angle during the spin and a total number of rotations during the spin, and the electronics configured to execute one or more functions of the handset at least partially in response to a value of each one of the one or more determined variables being in a range. 